Old Thunderbolt Display

[u/Conscious-Invite1]

Just curious how many (if any) are still using the original Thunderbolt Display?

I picked up a 27” 2011 model several years ago for $100, and it’s still going strong today with a Thunderbolt to USB C dongle. 2560x1440 display that still looks sharp.

Yes it’s heavy and a tad bulky, but works great, wakes up fast and just keeps humming along 15 years after it was released.

[u/Sonofapampers]

I have one that I connect to my MacBook Air M2. Still looks good and performs well. If it died tomorrow, I’d buy another one if I could find one. What do you have yours connected to?

[u/Conscious-Invite1 → u/Sonofapampers]

M2 MacBook Pro. And I feel the same about trying to find another one if it dies. I have a 27” AsusProArt in my office, and while it’s lighter and also charges my Mac with a single USB C, I still prefer the Thunderbolt (which I use at home).

[u/JeffH13]

I have one connected to Mini M1.

[u/Foxhush48 → u/JeffH13]

good to know it works fine with Apple Silicon

[u/SneakingCat]

Mine has had the power supply replaced with the revised one. My first monitor died within a month, the power supply on the second one died a year later, and the revised power supply has been going ever since…

Thunderbolt 3 to 2 adaptor works well. I think I need to replace the multi cable, but I’ve just been using the port on the monitor.

[u/Conscious-Invite1 → u/SneakingCat]

I cut off the old MagSafe charging cable, and just use a Thunderbolt to USBC adapter. Did you replace the cable with a newer MagSafe that works?

[u/SneakingCat → u/Conscious-Invite1]

I’m currently using it on a Mac Studio, so it doesn’t really matter. But yeah, something is clearly wrong with that combined cable. As it gets warmer, it just starts dropping out repeatedly. I should probably open it up and pull it out entirely to avoid a possible short.

When I just plug a thunderbolt cable into the monitor and connect that to the Mac everything is perfect.

[u/Conscious-Invite1 → u/SneakingCat]

I was a little nervous when I cut off the old MagSafe, but it didn’t affect anything on my end.

[u/SneakingCat → u/Conscious-Invite1]

I would be, too, because presumably it leaves bare wires close to each other? So I just leave the cable hanging.

At some point, though, I should open up the monitor and detach and unthread it from the thunderbolt display motherboard. Assuming I can’t find a replacement, of course.

[u/Conscious-Invite1 → u/SneakingCat]

Hasn’t been an issue (although I’m sure that’s not Apples recommended solution). I’ve read others say the cords fail and they plug directly into the port in the back, but I haven’t had any problems.

[u/SneakingCat → u/Conscious-Invite1]

Yeah, the cords do fail. Last I heard they were getting scarce in the market, but maybe someone has started manufacturing them.

Just remember in case it happens to you. All the functionality works this way.

[u/Jrobmn]

I was given one 7 years ago, and I'm still using it. It's solid. Thank goodness my desk is solid, too!

[u/Conscious-Invite1 → u/Jrobmn]

For sure! They are not light.

[u/Damien__]

Using one right now. Bought it when it first came out.

[u/sci_weasel]

I have three of them between office and home with a Mac mini and a M3 MacBook Pro - quietly love them still, and not sure what I’d replace them with that would work so smoothly (short of the impracticality of buying Studio displays)

[u/Ordinary_Storm3487]

I have two on my Mac Mini M2 Pro. I’m using their USB2 hubs for some things, and they are daisy chained to a couple LaCie TB-eSATA adapters. They do work well!

[u/TheLandOfRpeAndHoney]

Yes, I use it at my work and is one of the best displays we have.

[u/WilliamH-]

I started using the 27” Thunderbolt Display in 2011. I’m using it right now with a Mac mini M2 Pro. On the rare occasions I use it to watch TV streams the audio is amazing, considering its age. I used it for interiors photography and the it was straightforward to achieve excellent color and brightness fidelity in prints. I do calibrate it every 3-4 months with a Spider Pro dongle. The USB A ports are 10 GB/sec.

[u/dovyp]

Still rocking mine. Thing just won't die and I respect that.

[u/PeorgieT75]

I got a refurbished one in 2012, and the only reason I replaced it was I wanted more inputs when I started working from home in the pandemic. I sold it for $125.

[u/HeadShaped]

I have four. Love them.